UCI
The Latest UCI breaking news from experts at Cycling Weekly

The Union Cycliste International (UCI) is the world governing body of cycling as a sport encompassing road racing, track and mountain bike, cyclo-cross, BMX, trials, paracycling and indoor cycling. Founded in Paris in 1900 the organisation is now based in Aigle, Switzerland and is recognised by the IOC (International Olympic Committee). The current president is Frenchman, David Lappartient.
The UCI sets the regulations for the competitive aspects of the sport of cycling and oversees the enforcement of them from racing to anti-doping (the UCI is signed up the the WADA code) and equipment. All the rules can be downloaded from the UCI's website.
The Tour de France is the flagship event in the UCI's WorldTour calendar that includes all three Grand Tours as well as the one-day classics, Milan - San Remo, the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, Liege-Bastogne-Liege and the Tour of Lombardy. The UCI's licence commission oversees the registration of professional cycling teams.
UCI world championships are held annually in each of the disciplines as well as World Cups (excluding men's road racing, but including women's). Road, track, mountain bike and BMX are the four cycling disciplines included in the Olympic programme.
>>> UCI Road World Championships: Read all our up-to-date coverage
>>> UCI Track World Championships: Read our stories from the event each year
External links: History of the UCI | UCI YouTube channel
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From angled seatposts to extreme positions, here are the riders who have taken on the UCI regulations and lost
The UCI's technical regulations may result in riders being banned, but every time the clamp down, it opens up more possibilities.
By Andy Turner Published
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'Innovation and safety are not opposing forces': SRAM welcomes UCI halt on gear restriction, calls for better, 'open' governance in professional cycling
After the Belgian Competition Authority suspended the UCI’s new gear-ratio test, SRAM says it’s time for cycling’s key stakeholders to collaborate on rules
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
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UCI releases full details of helmet clampdown – here's what's going to be banned
Helmets in mass start events will need to have at least three air vents, among other regulations
By Tom Davidson Published
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Helmet brands launch reviews after UCI bans time trial models in road races
WorldTour helmet suppliers seek further clarification on new rules
By Tom Davidson Published
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'An incredibly climb-heavy course': UCI Road World Championships 2025 elite road race routes
Everything you need to know about the courses for the women's and men's elite road races
By Adam Becket Published
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Chloé Dygert’s stickers, the illusion of sports neutrality and why we report on them both
Public outrage leads to coverage and keeps governing bodies clinging to the notion of neutrality
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
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The UCI has just announced rule updates from helmets to handlebar widths – here's everything you need to know
The UCI's Management Committee met at the Road World Championships, and passed lots of rules – here are the interesting ones
By Adam Becket Published
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SRAM take UCI to court over gear restriction proposals - 'This penalises and discourages innovation and puts our riders and teams at a competitive disadvantage'
Proposed test on gear restrictions has already caused "tangible harm", US brand says
By Adam Becket Published
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All riders to use GPS trackers at 2025 World Championships after Muriel Furrer's death
UCI trialled technology at women's Tour de Romandie last month
By Tom Davidson Last updated
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Cycling’s governing body says sport isn’t political – they’re wrong, everything is political
Opinion – the UCI’s response to pro-Palestine protests at the Vuelta a España is hypocritical, and short-sighted
By Adam Becket Published
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I went to Les Gets to watch a downhill mountain bike race – here's what road racing can learn from cycling's coolest discipline
One's rough-around-the-edges, the other is refined and data-driven, but the two disciplines may have more in common than we think
By Meg Elliot Published
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Lance Armstrong's former manager Johan Bruyneel slams UCI statement condemning his Tour de France visit
According to the world governing body, Lance Armstrong's former manager was "not authorised" to be present in the race paddock
By Tom Thewlis Published
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Tour of Britain Women 2026 to be a five-stage race, closing gap with men's event
Race will increase to five stages next year, British Cycling announces
By Tom Thewlis Published
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How much are UCI points really worth in cycling, and why do they matter?
An equal amount of points per race will be up for grabs for both women and men in new UCI ruling for 2026
By Meg Elliot Published
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‘This rule endangers cyclists’ - peloton hits out at UCI minimum handlebar width
Pro women's union The Cyclists Alliance joins chorus of disapproval of 40cm handlebar width rule unveiled earlier this month.
By Vern Pitt Published
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'The majority of riders say that this is not the biggest issue' - UCI to test gear limits at races from August, effectively banning most SRAM chainsets
Change made after recommendation from SafeR commission, trials thought to take place at Tour of Guangxi
By Tom Thewlis Published
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Petition against UCI's new handlebar rules gathers thousands of signatures
New restrictions 'may increase the risk of discomfort, reduced control, and long-term injury'
By Tom Davidson Published
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UCI rejects One Cycling project as 'incompatible' and 'lacking sporting coherence'
Governing body to remain in discussions with project representatives, as 2026 WorldTour calendars announced
By Tom Davidson Published
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Extra wildcard team approved for Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España
Number of teams to increase from 22 to 23 at men's Grand Tours
By Tom Davidson Published
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UCI president says there is 'no plan B' for Rwanda World Championships after European Parliament calls for cancellation over conflict
The Road World Championships are due to be held in Kigali this September, but Rwanda is involved in armed conflict in the neighbouring DRC
By Tom Thewlis Published
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No change to Rwanda World Championships planned after violence breaks out on border with DR Congo, UCI says
World governing body 'closely monitoring' situation in east Africa with showpiece event set to visit Rwanda in September
By Tom Thewlis Published
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Rider airbags being considered as part of new safety measures from UCI
World governing body still undecided on radios, gear restrictions, regulations surrounding rim height and handlebar widths and wider rules in sprint finishes
By Tom Thewlis Published
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‘It’s unprofessional and I’m p****d off’: Riders and staff learned of British Continental team’s decision to close via social media
A handful of team personnel only learned on social media that they would not have jobs in 2025 after Saint Piran's demise
By Tom Thewlis Published
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UK team asking athletes to pay £500 for a 'performance test review' as part of application and has insisted riders sign an NDA to join
British Continental team Saint Piran charging hefty fee for data review with no guarantee that applicants will get a place on the team
By Tom Thewlis Published
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UCI confirm investigation launched into 'unapproved' frameset used by Saint Piran
British team glued fake UCI compliance labels to open mould frames purchased from far east
By Tom Thewlis Published
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Have information about motor doping in cycling? The UCI will now pay you
The UCI hopes that informants and whistleblowers will increase their knowledge of "new and innovative – and hard to detect – technology in bikes."
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
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What is the new 'yellow card' system in place at the Tour de France Femmes?
Barbara Guarischi becomes first rider to receive booking after yellow card trial brought in by world governing body
By Tom Thewlis Published
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Afghan Cycling Federation president suspended over 'abusive' messages
UCI bans Fazli Ahmad Fazli following almost three-year investigation
By Tom Davidson Published
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'We are not afraid': UCI to pay for 'qualified information' relating to possible motor doping
President David Lappartient also says that he is "not afraid to to catch a top rider" should they be using motored assistance inside their bike
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published